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Chapter 8—Molecular Structure and Covalent Bonding Theories
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The electrons in the outer shell of an atom are involved in bonding. Another name for the outer shell is
____.
a. valence shell
b. bonding shell
c. hybridized shell
d. VSEPR shell
e. Lewis shell
ANS: A
OBJ: Define valence shell.
TOP: Valence Electrons
3. What is the electronic geometry for 6 regions of high electron density on a central atom?
a. octahedral
b. square planar
c. tetrahedral
d. trigonal bipyramidal
e. trigonal planar
ANS: A
OBJ: Identify the electron geometry given the number of electron groups surrounding the central
atom.
TOP: Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory
4. Which of the following do not count as regions of high electron density with respect to the central
atom in a molecule?
a. single bonds
b. lone pairs on an outer atom
c. lone pairs on the central atom
d. double bonds
e. triple bonds
ANS: B
OBJ: Identify electron groups which define the electron geometry around the central atom.
TOP: Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory
6. What is the electronic geometry for 3 regions of high electron density on a central atom?
a. octahedral
b. square planar
c. trigonal bipyramidal
d. tetrahedral
e. trigonal planar
ANS: E
OBJ: Identify the electron geometry given the number of electron groups surrounding the central
atom.
TOP: Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory
7. What angle(s) are associated with a central atom that has trigonal bipyramidal electronic geometry?
a. 109.5
b. 120
c. 120 and 180
d. 90 and 120
e. 90 and 180
ANS: D
OBJ: Identify the angles between electron groups given the electron geometry.
TOP: Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory
8. What angle(s) are associated with a central atom that has tetrahedral electronic geometry?
a. 109.5
b. 120
c. 120 and 180
d. 90 and 120
e. 90 and 180
ANS: A
OBJ: Identify the angles between electron groups given the electron geometry.
TOP: Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory
9. The phosphorus pentachloride molecule is nonpolar and contains no lone (unshared) electron pairs on
the phosphorus atom. What are all of the possible Cl−P−Cl bond angles?
a. 120
b. 180
c. 109.5
d. 90, 120, and 180
e. 90 and 180
10. Which of the following is not one of the basic ideas of the VSEPR theory?
a. Each electron group in the valence shell of a central atom is significant.
b. The groups of valence shell electrons on the central atom repel one another.
c. The groups of valence shell electrons are arranged about the central atom so that the
repulsions among them are as small as possible.
d. The electron groups have maximum separation about the central atom.
e. The number of electron groups is determined by counting the number of lone pairs and the
total number of bonds.
ANS: E
OBJ: Identify the tenets of VSEPR theory.
TOP: Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory
15. Draw the dot formula for the HNO2 molecule. The nitrogen atom is the central atom and the hydrogen
atom is attached to an oxygen atom. On the basis of the number of regions of high electron density
about the nitrogen atom, predict the nitrogen atom hybridization.
a. sp
b. sp2
c. sp3
d. sp3d
e. sp3d2
ANS: B
OBJ: Determine the central atom hybridization given the formula.
TOP: Valence Bond (VB) Theory
16. Draw the dot formula for the HNO2 molecule. The nitrogen atom is the central atom and the hydrogen
atom is attached to an oxygen atom. On the basis of the number of regions of high electron density
about the nitrogen atom, what is (are) the approximate bond angle(s) about the N atom?
a. 180
b. 90
c. 120
d. 120 and 90
e. 109
ANS: C
OBJ: Determine the central atom hybridization given the formula.
TOP: Valence Bond (VB) Theory
17. Which one of the following statements about compounds or polyatomic ions of the A group elements
is false?
a. All compounds in which the central atom is sp3d2 hybridized violate the octet rule.
b. Sulfur hexafluoride is an example of a compound with a central atom that has sp3d2
hybridization.
c. All molecules in which the central element is sp3d2 hybridized have octahedral electronic
geometry.
d. All molecules in which the central element is sp3d2 hybridized have octahedral molecular
geometry.
e. All ions in which the central atom is sp3d2 hybridized have octahedral electronic geometry.
ANS: D
DIF: Harder Question
OBJ: Understand the connection between valence bond theory and VSEPR theory.
TOP: Valence Bond (VB) Theory
19. Which response contains all the following statements that are true, and no others?
I. A set of sp2 orbitals can be thought of as one s orbital one-third of the time and two p
orbitals two-thirds of the time.
II. A set of sp orbitals can accommodate a maximum of six electrons.
III. The orbitals resulting from sp3d2 hybridization are directed toward the corners of an
octahedron.
IV. A set of sp3 orbitals results from the mixing of one s orbital and three p orbitals.
a. II and IV
b. I, II, and IV
c. II, III, and IV
d. III and IV
e. all are true
ANS: D
OBJ: Understand the connection between valence bond theory and VSEPR theory.
TOP: Valence Bond (VB) Theory
20. The hybridization associated with the central atom of a molecule in which all the bond angles are 180
is ____.
a. sp
b. sp2
c. sp3
d. sp3d
e. sp3d2
ANS: A
OBJ: Identify the central atom hybridization given the bond angles.
TOP: Valence Bond (VB) Theory
21. The hybridization associated with the central atom of a molecule in which all the bond angles are
109.5 is ____.
a. sp
b. sp2
c. sp3
d. sp3d
e. sp3d2
ANS: C
OBJ: Identify the central atom hybridization given the bond angles.
TOP: Valence Bond (VB) Theory
23. The central atom in a molecule is bonded to 3 other atoms and has 2 lone pairs. What type of hybrid
orbitals are formed by the central atom?
a. sp
b. sp2
c. sp3
d. sp3d
e. sp3d2
ANS: D
OBJ: Identify the central atom hybridization given the number of atoms and lone pairs attached to the
central atom.
TOP: Valence Bond (VB) Theory
24. The central atom in a molecule is sharing a total of 12 electrons. What type of hybrid orbitals are
formed by the central atom?
a. sp
b. sp2
c. sp3
d. sp3d
e. sp3d2
ANS: E
OBJ: Identify the central atom hybridization given the number electrons shared by the central atom.
TOP: Valence Bond (VB) Theory
25. The central atom in a molecule has three regions of high electron density. What type of hybrid orbitals
are formed by the central atom?
a. sp
b. sp2
c. sp3
d. sp3d
e. sp3d2
ANS: B
OBJ: Identify the central atom hybridization given the number of electron groups around the central
atom.
TOP: Valence Bond (VB) Theory
28. Consider the BeCl2 molecule. Which statement about this molecule is false?
a. The molecule is linear.
b. The molecule has polar bonds.
c. The molecule is polar.
d. The central atom is sp hybridized.
e. Be does not satisfy the octet rule.
ANS: C
OBJ: Apply VSEPR and VB theory given the formula.
TOP: Linear Electronic Geometry: AB2 Species
29. Which one of the following molecules has sp hybridization at the central atom?
a. BeF2
b. SeF6
c. BF3
d. PF5
e. CF4
ANS: A
OBJ: Identify the formula consistent with the given central atom hybridization.
TOP: Linear Electronic Geometry: AB2 Species
31. Cadmium iodide, CdI2, is a covalent compound. The molecule has the same geometry as a BeCl2
molecule. Which of the following kinds of hybrid orbitals does the cadmium atom likely utilize in
CdI2?
a. sp
b. sp2
c. sp3
d. sp3d
e. sp3d2
ANS: A
OBJ: Determine the central atom hybridization given the formula.
TOP: Linear Electronic Geometry: AB2 Species
32. Which of the following statements concerning HgI2 (a covalent compound) is false?
a. HgI2 is a linear molecule.
b. The hybridization of the central Hg atom is sp.
c. The electronegativity difference between Hg and I is so large that HgI2 is an ionic
compound.
d. Because the bond angle is 180, the two bond dipoles cancel to give a nonpolar molecule.
e. The Hg atom in HgI2 does not satisfy the octet rule.
ANS: C
OBJ: Apply VSEPR and VB theory given the formula. | Understand the difference between ionic and
covalent.
TOP: Linear Electronic Geometry: AB2 Species
33. What kind of hybrid orbitals are utilized by the boron atom in BF3 molecules?
a. sp
b. sp2
c. sp3
d. sp3d
e. sp3d2
ANS: B
OBJ: Identify the central atom hybridization given the formula.
TOP: Trigonal Planar Electronic Geometry
37. Which one of the following molecules has only 120 bond angles?
a. PF3
b. SF6
c. BI3
d. PF5
e. NF3
ANS: C
OBJ: Identify the formula consistent with the given bond angles.
TOP: Trigonal Planar Electronic Geometry
38. Which one of the following molecules has a central atom that is sp2 hybridized?
a. BeF2
b. BCl3
c. PCl3
d. H2O
e. NH3
ANS: B
OBJ: Identify the formula consistent with the given central atom hybridization.
TOP: Trigonal Planar Electronic Geometry
41. What kind of hybrid orbitals are utilized by the carbon atom in CF4 molecules?
a. sp
b. sp2
c. sp3
d. sp3d
e. sp3d2
ANS: C
OBJ: Identify the central atom hybridization given the formula.
TOP: Tetrahedral Electronic Geometry: AB4 Species
43. Consider a molecule with 109.5 bond angles and sp3 hybridization at the central atom. Which of the
following molecules does not fit this description?
a. CH3Cl
b. SiF4
c. SF4
d. SiCl4
e. CF4
ANS: C
OBJ: Identify the formula consistent with the given bond angles and central atom hybridization.
TOP: Tetrahedral Electronic Geometry: AB4 Species
44. Consider CH4 and CF4. Electronegativities: C = 2.5, H = 2.1, F = 4.0. Which statement is false?
a. Both are sp3 hybridized at carbon.
b. The bond angles in CF4 are smaller than those in CH4.
c. The C−F bonds are more polar than the C−H bonds.
d. Both molecules are nonpolar.
e. The bond dipoles in CF4 are directed toward the fluorine, but those in CH4 are directed
toward the carbon atom.
47. Which response contains all the characteristics listed that should apply to silicon tetrafluoride, SiF4,
and no other characteristics?
I. tetrahedral
II. 120 bond angles
III. sp hybridized at C
IV. polar molecule
V. one unshared pair of electrons on Si
a. II and III
b. I
c. I and V
d. II, IV, and V
e. none of these
ANS: B
OBJ: Apply VSEPR and VB theory given the formula.
TOP: Tetrahedral Electronic Geometry: AB4 Species
52. Molecules such as NF3 are best described by assuming what kind of hybridization at the central atom?
a. sp
b. sp2
c. sp3
d. sp3d
e. sp3d2
ANS: C
OBJ: Identify the central atom hybridization given the formula.
TOP: Tetrahedral Electronic Geometry: AB3U Species
55. For AsF3, the electronic geometry is ____ and the molecular geometry is ____.
a. tetrahedral; trigonal planar
b. trigonal planar; tetrahedral
c. tetrahedral; tetrahedral
d. trigonal planar; trigonal planar
e. trigonal planar; linear
ANS: A
OBJ: Identify the central atom electron and molecular geometry given a formula.
TOP: Tetrahedral Electronic Geometry: AB3U Species
58. Four of the following statements about the ammonia molecule, NH3, are correct. One is not. Which
one?
a. The ammonia molecule is tetrahedral.
b. Since nitrogen is more electronegative than hydrogen, the bond dipoles are directed
toward the nitrogen atoms.
c. The bond dipoles re-enforce the effect of the unshared pair of electrons on the nitrogen
atom.
d. The bond angles in the ammonia molecule are less than 109.
e. The nitrogen atom can be described as utilizing sp3 hybrid orbitals in the ammonia
molecule.
59. Which statement for NH3 and NF3 is false? Electronegativities: N = 3.0, H = 2.1, F = 4.0.
a. Both are sp3 hybridized at nitrogen.
b. The bond angles in NF3 are smaller than those in NH3.
c. The NF3 molecule is more polar than the NH3 molecule.
d. Both molecules have one unshared pair of electrons in the outer shell of nitrogen.
e. The bond dipoles of NF3 are directed toward fluorine, whereas those in NH3 are directed
toward nitrogen.
ANS: C
OBJ: Apply VSEPR and VB theory given the formula.
TOP: Tetrahedral Electronic Geometry: AB3U Species
60. Four of the following statements about the ammonia molecule, NH3, and the nitrogen trifluoride
molecule, NF3, are correct. One is not. Which one?
a. The NH3 molecule is more polar than the NF3 molecule.
b. The bond dipoles in NF3 are directed toward the more electronegative fluorine atoms.
c. The bond dipoles in NF3 oppose the effect of the unshared pair of electrons.
d. The nitrogen atom can be described as utilizing sp3 hybrid orbitals in the nitrogen
trifluoride molecule.
e. Fluorine atoms are larger than hydrogen atoms, and therefore the bond angles in NF3 are
greater than in NH3.
ANS: E
OBJ: Apply VSEPR and VB theory given the formula.
TOP: Tetrahedral Electronic Geometry: AB3U Species
62. Which one of the following is a nonpolar molecule with polar covalent bonds?
a. NH3
b. H2Te
c. SOCl2 (S is central atom)
d. BeBr2
e. HF
ANS: D
OBJ: Identify the formula consistent with a nonpolar molecule.
TOP: Tetrahedral Electronic Geometry: AB3U Species
65. Many simple molecules contain two lone pairs of electrons (unshared pairs) that occupy hybrid
orbitals on the central element. Which of the following kinds of electron-electron repulsions are
smallest in such molecules?
a. bonding pair-bonding pair
b. bonding pair-lone pair
c. lone pair-lone pair
d. depends on hybrid orbitals
e. repulsions between all types of pairs of electrons are the same
ANS: A
OBJ: Identify the weakest electron repulsions.
TOP: Tetrahedral Electronic Geometry: AB2U2 Species
66. Many simple molecules contain lone pairs of electrons (also referred to as unshared pairs) which
occupy hybrid orbitals of the central element in a molecule. If an atom of the central element utilizes
sp3 hybrid orbitals in a compound, which one of the following types of repulsions would be greater?
a. bonding pair-bonding pair
b. bonding pair-lone pair
c. lone pair-bonding pair
d. lone pair-lone pair
e. repulsions between all types of pairs of electrons are the same
ANS: D
OBJ: Identify the weakest electron repulsions.
TOP: Tetrahedral Electronic Geometry: AB2U2 Species
a. SO2, H2S
b. BeI2, SO2
c. BeI2, PF3, CO2
d. PF3, CO2
e. another combination
ANS: A
OBJ: Apply VSEPR theory given formulas.
TOP: Tetrahedral Electronic Geometry: AB2U2 Species
68. Which of the following molecules has the smallest bond angle(s)?
a. CH4
b. NH3
c. H2O
d. CF4
e. CO2
ANS: C
OBJ: Identify the formula consistent with the smallest bond angle.
TOP: Tetrahedral Electronic Geometry: AB2U2 Species
70. Which of the following molecules is sp3 hybridized at the central atom and has bent molecular
geometry?
a. CH2Cl2
b. NH3
c. SO2
d. OF2
e. CO2
ANS: D
OBJ: Identify the formula consistent with the given central atom hybridization and molecular
geometry.
TOP: Tetrahedral Electronic Geometry: AB2U2 Species
72. Consider the chlorine atom in the HCl molecule. Which statement below is true?
a. The chlorine atom has tetrahedral electronic geometry.
b. The molecule is angular.
c. The molecule is nonpolar.
d. VSEPR theory and VB theory disagree about the molecular geometry of HCl.
e. All of these are true.
ANS: A
OBJ: Apply VSEPR theory given the formula.
TOP: Tetrahedral Electronic Geometry: ABU3 Species
73. An element that is sp3d hybridized and which has no lone pairs of electrons around it in a molecule is
at the center of a(n) ____ described by imaginary lines connecting the identical surrounding atoms.
a. triangular plane
b. tetrahedron
c. octahedron
d. pyramid
e. trigonal bipyramid
ANS: E
OBJ: Identify the molecular geometry given the central atom hybridization and central atom lone
pairs.
TOP: Trigonal Bipyramidal Electronic Geometry: AB5, AB4U, AB3U2, and AB2U3
76. Which one of the following molecules has sp3d hybridization at the central atom?
a. PF5
b. NH3
c. SF6
d. HF
e. CF4
ANS: A
OBJ: Identify the formula consistent with the given central atom hybridization.
TOP: Trigonal Bipyramidal Electronic Geometry: AB5, AB4U, AB3U2, and AB2U3
77. How many unshared electrons are there in the highest energy level of phosphorus in the covalent
compound PF5? (HINT: Draw Lewis dot formula.)
a. eight
b. two
c. three
d. none
e. five
ANS: D
OBJ: Determine the number of central atom lone pairs given a formula.
TOP: Trigonal Bipyramidal Electronic Geometry: AB5, AB4U, AB3U2, and AB2U3
79. The PF5 molecule exists whereas NF5 does not. Which one of the following is the best explanation for
this fact?
a. Phosphorus atoms can undergo hybridization involving d orbitals, whereas nitrogen atoms
cannot.
b. The first five ionization energies of nitrogen are too high but those of phosphorus are not.
c. The electron affinity of nitrogen is too high.
d. NF5 would be too polar to be stable.
e. Simple P5+ ions exist but simple N5+ ions are too small to exist.
ANS: A
OBJ: Apply a controversial interpretation of VBT in rationalizing experimental data.
TOP: Trigonal Bipyramidal Electronic Geometry: AB5, AB4U, AB3U2, and AB2U3
82. Which of the following molecules has three lone pairs of electrons on the central atom?
a. XeF4
b. SF4
c. SF6
d. XeF2
e. NCl3
ANS: D
TOP: Trigonal Bipyramidal Electronic Geometry: AB5, AB4U, AB3U2, and AB2U3
83. Which of the following species has trigonal bipyramidal electronic geometry and trigonal bipyramidal
molecular geometry?
a. SF4
b. BrF3
c. I3−
d. XeF2
e. AsCl5
ANS: E
OBJ: Identify the formula consistent with the given central atom electron and molecular geometry.
TOP: Trigonal Bipyramidal Electronic Geometry: AB5, AB4U, AB3U2, and AB2U3
84. Consider the SeF4 molecule. Where is (are) the lone pair(s) located on the central atom?
a. In the axial position.
b. In the equatorial position.
c. In two octahedral positions at 180 angles from each other.
d. In either axial or equatorial positions.
e. There are no lone pairs present in SeF4.
ANS: B
OBJ: Identify the location of any central atom lone pairs given the molecule formula.
TOP: Trigonal Bipyramidal Electronic Geometry: AB5, AB4U, AB3U2, and AB2U3
86. Which response includes all the polar molecules listed and no nonpolar molecules?
BCl3, AsF5, NF3, H2S
a. BCl3, AsF5
b. AsF5, NF3, H2S
c. NF3, H2S
d. BCl3, H2S
e. BCl3, NF3
ANS: C
OBJ: Identify the formulas of polar molecules.
TOP: Trigonal Bipyramidal Electronic Geometry: AB5, AB4U, AB3U2, and AB2U3
87. Which one of the following is a polar molecule with nonpolar bonds?
a. H2O
b. NH3
c. PF5
d. CHCl3
e. none of these
ANS: E
DIF: Harder Question
OBJ: Identify the formula consistent with a polar molecule.
TOP: Trigonal Bipyramidal Electronic Geometry: AB5, AB4U, AB3U2, and AB2U3
89. Which one of the following molecules has an octahedral electron geometry?
a. BeCl2
b. SeF6
c. BF3
d. PF5
e. CF4
90. Which of the following statements about molecules with octahedral electronic geometry is false?
a. They are sp3d2 hybridized.
b. The molecular geometry is square planar if there are two lone pairs of electrons on the
central atom.
c. The bond angles are 90, 120 or 180.
d. Octahedral geometry is symmetrical.
e. If there are two lone pairs of electrons on the central atom they will be 180 apart.
ANS: C
OBJ: Apply VSEPR and VB theory given the central atom electron geometry.
TOP: Octahedral Electronic Geometry: AB6, AB5U, and AB4U2
93. Draw the dot formula for the noble gas compound xenon tetrafluoride, XeF4. What is the hybridization
of xenon?
a. sp
b. sp2
c. sp3
d. sp3d
e. sp3d2
ANS: E
OBJ: Identify the central atom hybridization given the formula.
TOP: Octahedral Electronic Geometry: AB6, AB5U, and AB4U2
95. Which of the following species has square pyramidal molecular geometry?
a. PF5
b. NH4+
c. SbCl5
d. IF5
e. SiCl4
ANS: D
OBJ: Identify the formula consistent with given molecular geometry.
TOP: Octahedral Electronic Geometry: AB6, AB5U, and AB4U2
96. Which of the following species does not have octahedral electronic geometry?
a. IF4−
b. BrCl5
c. XeF4
d. PF6−
e. AsF5
ANS: E
OBJ: Identify the formulas that is not consistent with the given electron geometry.
TOP: Octahedral Electronic Geometry: AB6, AB5U, and AB4U2
97. The central atom of which of the following species does not have sp3d2 hybridization?
a. XeF4
b. SeF6
c. PF6−
d. IF7
e. ClF5
ANS: D
OBJ: Identify the formula not consistent with the given central atom hybridization.
TOP: Octahedral Electronic Geometry: AB6, AB5U, and AB4U2
100. How many sigma () bonds and how many pi () bonds does the ethene molecule contain?
a. 4 , 2
b. 5 , 2
c. 5 , 1
d. 5 , 0
e. 8 , 2
ANS: C
OBJ: Determine the number of sigma and pi bonds given the Lewis structure.
TOP: Compounds Containing Double or Triple Bonds
102. What is the geometry of a carbon atom involved in one double bond?
a. linear
b. trigonal planar
c. tetrahedral
d. trigonal bipyramidal
e. octahedral
ANS: B
OBJ: Identify the geometry of an atom in a molecule given its bonding.
TOP: Compounds Containing Double or Triple Bonds
104. Which of the following statements regarding a carbon atom involved in 2 double bonds is false?
a. The geometry is linear.
b. The hybridization is sp.
c. There are 2 sigma and two pi bonds.
d. The C atom has two unhybridized p atomic orbitals.
e. The C atom can make one more bond to complete its octet.
ANS: E
OBJ: Apply the VBT interpretation of covalent bonding.
TOP: Compounds Containing Triple Bonds
105. How many sigma () bonds and how many pi () bonds does the acetylene molecule contain?
a. 5 and 1
b. 2 and 3
c. 3 and 1
d. 2 and 2
e. 3 and 2
ANS: E
OBJ: Determine the number of sigma and pi bonds given the molecule name.
TOP: Compounds Containing Triple Bonds
a. I and III
b. II and IV
c. I and IV
d. II and V
e. II and III
ANS: D
OBJ: Apply VSEPR and VB theory given the molecule name.
TOP: Compounds Containing Triple Bonds
109. Choose the species that is incorrectly matched with the electronic geometry about the central atom.
110. Choose the species that is incorrectly matched with the electronic geometry about the central atom.
111. Choose the species that is incorrectly matched with the electronic geometry about the central atom.
112. Choose the species that is incorrectly matched with the electronic geometry about the central atom.
118. Which one of the following pairs of molecules and molecular geometries is incorrectly matched?
119. Which one of the following pairs of molecules and molecular geometries is incorrectly matched?
a. BCl3, AsF5
b. AsF5, NF3, H2S
c. NF3, H2S
d. BCl3, H2S
e. BCl3, NF3
ANS: A
OBJ: Identify the molecules with identical electron and molecular geometries, given the formulas.
TOP: A Summary of Electronic and Molecular Geometries
121. Which one of the following molecules has a central atom that is not sp3 hybridized?
a. H2O
b. NH3
c. CH4
d. CHCl3
e. SF4
ANS: E
OBJ: Identify the formula not consistent with the given central atom hybridization.
TOP: A Summary of Electronic and Molecular Geometries
122. Which of the following molecules does not have tetrahedral electronic geometry?
a. SF4
b. SO32−
c. ClO3−
d. ClO2−
e. CCl2F2
ANS: A
OBJ: Identify the formula not consistent with given electron geometry.
TOP: A Summary of Electronic and Molecular Geometries
123. Which, if any, of the compounds listed are not sp3 hybridized at the central atom?
I. CF4
II. H2O
III. SiF4
IV. CHCl3
V. NH3
a. III and IV
b. I, II, and III
c. II, IV, and V
d. III and V
e. all are sp3 hybridized
ANS: E
OBJ: Identify the formulas not consistent with the given central atom hybridization.
TOP: A Summary of Electronic and Molecular Geometries
a. III and IV
b. I, II, and III
c. I, IV, and V
d. III and V
e. all are sp3d hybridized
ANS: C
OBJ: Identify the formulas not consistent with the given central atom hybridization.
TOP: A Summary of Electronic and Molecular Geometries
125. Which species is incorrectly matched with the hybridization at the central atom?
126. Which species is incorrectly matched with the hybridization at the central atom?
131. What is the molecular geometry around an atom in a molecule or ion which is surrounded by
two lone pairs of electrons and two single bonds.
a. bent
b. trigonal pyramidal
c. tetrahedral
d. linear
e. trigonal planar
ANS: A DIF: easy
OBJ: Identify the central atom molecular geometry given the number of lone pairs and bonds.
TOP: A Summary of Electronic and Molecular Geometries
a. trigonal bipyramidal
b. see-saw or distorted tetrahedron
c. T-shaped
d. linear
e. trigonal planar
ANS: A
DIF: easy
OBJ: Determine the electron geometry given the number of lone pairs and bonding pairs around the
central atom.
TOP: A Summary of Electronic and Molecular Geometries
a. trigonal pyramidal
b. bent
c. tetrahedral
d. see-saw or distorted tetrahedral
e. trigonal planar
ANS: A
DIF: moderate
OBJ: Determine the molecular geometry around an atom given the Lewis structure.
TOP: A Summary of Electronic and Molecular Geometries
a. linear.
b. octahedral.
c. trigonal bipyramidal.
d. tetrahedral.
e. trigonal planar.
ANS: A
DIF: easy
OBJ: Determine the molecular geometry given the central atom hybridization.
TOP: Valence Bond (VB) Theory
a. carbon three
b. carbon one
c. carbon two and four
d. carbon two
e. carbon one and three
a. tetrahedral
b. trigonal planar
c. trigonal pyramidal
d. T-shaped
e. trigonal bipyramidal
ANS: A
DIF: moderate
OBJ: Determine the electron geometry of the specified atom given the Lewis structure.
TOP: A Summary of Electronic and Molecular Geometries
Use the following Lewis structure for acetic acid to answer the following questions:
Use the following Lewis structure for acetamide to answer the following questions:
146. The ideal value for the C-C-N bond angle around atom 2 is:
a. 60o b. 90o c. 109.5o d. 120o e. 180o
ANS: D
OBJ: Identify the ideal bond angle.
TOP: Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory
147. The ideal value for the C-N-H bond angle around atom 3 is:
a. 60o b. 90o c. 109.5o d. 120o e. 180o
ANS: C
OBJ: Identify the ideal bond angle.
TOP: Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory
148. Draw the Lewis structure for SiH4 to decide whether it is polar or nonpolar.
a. polar b. nonpolar
ANS: B
NAT: Draw the Lewis structure given the formula and infer the molecule polarity from the Lewis
structure.
TOP: Polar and Nonpolar Molecules
149. Draw the Lewis structure for SbF3 to decide whether it is polar or nonpolar.
a. polar b. nonpolar
ANS: A
OBJ: Draw the Lewis structure given the formula and infer the molecule polarity from the Lewis
structure.
TOP: Polar and Nonpolar Molecules
158. A molecule has sp3 hybridization with 1 lone pair. What is the geometry of this molecule?
a. tetrahedral
b. trigonal planar
c. trigonal pyramidal
d. bent
e. trigonal bipyramidal
ANS: C
OBJ: Determine the molecular geometry given the hybridization and number of lone pairs.
TOP: Valence Bond (VB) Theory
ANS: D
OBJ: Determine the number of sigma and pi bonds given the formula.
TOP: Valence Bond (VB) Theory
160. If an atom has sp2 hybridization in a molecule, what is the maximum number of and
bonds that the atom can form?
a. 3 and 1 b. 2 and 2 c. 2 and 1 d. 3 and 0 e. 1 and 2
ANS: A
OBJ: Determine the maximum number of sigma and pi bonds possible given the hybridization.
TOP: Valence Bond (VB) Theory
161. If an atom has sp hybridization in a molecule, what is the maximum number of and bonds
that the atom can form?
a. 1 and 1 b. 1 and 2 c. 2 and 1 d. 2 and 2 e. 3 and 1
ANS: D
OBJ: Determine the maximum number of sigma and pi bonds possible given the hybridization.
TOP: Valence Bond (VB) Theory
A B C D E
ANS: A
OBJ: Identify the correct hybridized orbital.
TOP: Valence Bond (VB) Theory
ANS: B
OBJ: Identify the correct hybridized orbital.
TOP: Valence Bond (VB) Theory
ANS: C
OBJ: Identify the correct hybridized orbital.
TOP: Valence Bond (VB) Theory
ANS: D
OBJ: Identify the correct hybridized orbital.
TOP: Valence Bond (VB) Theory
ANS: E
OBJ: Identify the correct hybridized orbital.
TOP: Valence Bond (VB) Theory
CONCEPTUAL
1. The actual bond angle in the water molecule is about 104. Discuss the likelihood the electronic
geometry of the water molecule is square planar instead of tetrahedral.
OBJ: Explain the factors responsible for the tetrahedral molecular geometry.
TOP: Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory | Valence Bond (VB) Theory
3. Discuss how the Valence Bond theory explains why Be can make 2 and only 2 bonds.
4. In terms of the geometry of the orbitals, explain why a quadruple bond is not possible.
OBJ: Describe the orbital atomic geometry required to form a quadruple bond.
TOP: Compounds Containing Double or Triple Bonds | Compounds Containing Triple Bonds |
Valence Bond (VB) Theory
5. Double bonds count as only one region of high electron density instead of two. Comment on how the
fact that CO2 is nonpolar confirms this.
OBJ: Explain why multiple bonds are treated as a single electron group in VSEPR
TOP: Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory
6. Consider a theoretical XeF6 molecule. What would you predict for hybridization of the orbitals? Can
you think of a possible geometry?
OBJ: Describe the central atom electronic and molecular geometry, and hybridization of theoretical
molecule.
TOP: Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory | Valence Bond (VB) Theory
Per cent.
Carbon 2.94
Water 14.78
Nitrogen 0.28
Loss on ignition 17.54
First Calculation.
Per cent.
Loss on ignition 17.54
Humus = carbon, 2.94 × 1.724 = 5.07
Difference = firmly combined water 12.47
Assuming that a humus dried over sulfuric acid contains five per cent of
hydrogen, the second calculation is made as follows.
Second Calculation.
5.00 humus × 5 per cent = 0.25 per cent of hydrogen in humus corresponding to 2.28 per
cent of water.
Per cent.
Water found 14.79
Difference = firmly combined water 12.51
Third Calculation.
Per cent.
Firmly combined water 12.47
Water from the hydrogen in humus 2.28
Total water 14.75
Found 14.79
In this way, in three other volcanic earths and in an ordinary alluvial clay from
Rembang, there were found by analysis and by calculation the following
percentages of water:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Percentage of water calculated 14.75 7.74 8.06 4.90 6.01
„„„ found 14.97 7.63 8.05 4.70 6.00
On the contrary, when the calculation is made from sea-slime taken from
under the water a higher content of hydrogen must be assumed; viz., about six
per cent. In two samples of sea-slime calculated in this way the following
numbers were obtained:
It is, therefore, quite evident that the organic compounds of soil taken from
under the sea-water are richer in hydrogen than those exposed to the air or in
cultivation.
303. General Conclusions.—In the foregoing paragraphs have been
collected the most widely practiced methods of determining moisture in soil in
both a free and combined state. The following conclusions may serve to guide
the analyst who endeavors to determine the water in any or all of its conditions:
(1) In determining water in fresh samples the method of Whitney is
satisfactory. Although the samples taken by this method are small they may be
easily secured in great numbers over widely scattered areas, and can be easily
transported without change. These samples should be dried at 100° to 110° for
rapid work, or where time can be spared may be air-dried.
(2) For a simple determination of the water left in the soil after air-drying
(hygroscopic water) the method of the Association of Official Agricultural
Chemists may be followed. There is much difference of opinion in respect of the
proper temperature at which this moisture is to be determined. Much here
depends on the nature of the soil. An almost purely mineral soil may safely be
dried at 140° or 150°. A peaty soil, on the contrary, should not be exposed to a
temperature above 100°. For general purposes the temperature chosen by the
official chemists is to be recommended.
(3) Water of composition can only be determined by ignition. As has been fully
shown, this process not only eliminates the water, but also destroys organic
matter, decomposes carbonates and sulfids, and, to some extent, chlorids.
Subsequent repeated treatment with ammonium carbonate may restore the loss
due to carbon dioxid, but in many cases not entirely. The water which comes
from organic matter may be approximately calculated from the humus content
of the sample, but as will be seen further on the methods of estimating humus
itself are only approximate. Nevertheless, in distributing the losses on ignition
properly to the several compounds of the soil there is no better method now
known than that of taking into consideration the humus content and carbonates
present. The principles of procedure established by Berthelot and André, and
Von Bemmelén, are to be applied in all such cases, modified as circumstances
may arise according to the judgment of the analyst.
304. Estimation of the Organic Matter of the Soil.—The organic matter
in the soil may be divided into two classes. First, the undecayed roots and other
remains of plant and animal life, and the living organisms existing in the soil.
The study of the organisms which are active in the condition of plant growth will
be the subject of a special chapter. Second, the decayed or partially decayed
remnants of organic matter in the soil known as humus. Such matter may be
present in only minute traces, as in barren sand soils, or it may form the great
mass of the soil under examination, as in the case of peat, muck, and vegetable
mold. It is with the investigation of the second class of matter that the analyst
has chiefly to do at present. The problems which are to be elucidated by the
analytical study of such bodies are the following: (1) The total quantity of such
matter in the soil. (2) The determination of the organic carbon and hydrogen
therein. (3) The determination of total nitrogen. (4) The determination of the
availability of the nitrogen for plant growth. (5) The estimation of the humic
bodies (humus, humic acid, ulmic acid, etc.).
The importance of humus in the promotion of plant growth is sufficient excuse
for the somewhat extended study of the principles which underlie the analytical
methods, and the methods themselves, which follow.
305. Total Quantity of Organic Matter.—The total approximate quantity
of organic matter in the soil can be determined by simple ignition, in the manner
noted in paragraphs 294 and 295. The proper correction for free and combined
water being applied by the further copper oxid or lead chromate combustion of
the sample, and for carbonates and volatile chlorids, the approximate total of the
organic matter of all kinds is obtained.
306. Estimation of the Organic Carbon.—To estimate the organic
carbon in an earth the sample may be burned in a current of oxygen, or after
mixing with lead chromate.
In a Current of Oxygen.—When burned in a current of oxygen the sample is
held in a boat and the gases arising from the combustion directed over copper
oxid at a red heat. The carbon thus disappears as carbon dioxid and is absorbed
and weighed in the usual way.
With Lead Chromate.—The lead chromate employed should be previously
tested since it often contains other compounds, especially lead acetate and
nitrate, furnishing in the one case both carbon dioxid and water, and in the other
hyponitric acid.
From two to ten grams of earth are employed, according to its richness in
organic matter. The total carbon dioxid is obtained in this process both from
carbonates and organic bodies. The water and carbon dioxid are secured and
weighed in the usual manner.
The oxygen method should be used in all cases possible. Although it does not
always give the whole of the carbon dioxid present as carbonates, the rest can be
easily estimated by treating the residue in the boat with hydrochloric acid, in an
apparatus for estimating that gas.
Calculation of Results.—The whole of the carbon dioxid is determined either
by direct combustion with lead chromate, or by taking the sum of the amounts
by burning in a stream of oxygen and treating the residue in a carbon dioxid
apparatus.
The carbon dioxid contained in the original carbonates should be determined
by direct treatment of the sample in the usual way.
The carbon in organic compounds is determined by subtracting the carbon
present as carbonates from the total.
From the organic carbon contained in the soil the humus is calculated by
Wolff on the supposition that it contains fifty-eight per cent of carbon. It is,
therefore, only necessary to multiply the percentage of carbon found by 1.724, or
the carbon dioxid found by 0.471, to determine the quantity of humus in the
dried soil.
307. Details of the Direct Estimation of Carbon in Soils by Various
Methods.—(1) Oxidation by Chromic Acid.—The method of Wolff by oxidation
with chromic acid has been worked out in detail by Warington and Peake.[196] It
consists in treating the soil with sulfuric acid and potassium bichromate, or by
preference with a mixture of sulfuric and chromic acids, the carbon dioxid
evolved being estimated in the usual way. This method is recommended by
Fresenius as an alternative to a combustion of the soil with copper oxid or lead
chromate. It is apparently the method which has been most generally employed
in agricultural investigations.
Ten grams of the finely powdered soil are placed in a flask of about 250 cubic
centimeters capacity, provided with a caoutchouc stopper, through which pass
two tubes, one for the supply of liquids, the other for the delivery of gas. The soil
is treated with twenty cubic centimeters of water and thirty cubic centimeters of
oil of vitriol; and the whole, after being thoroughly mixed, is heated for a short
time in a water-bath, the object in view being the decomposition of any
carbonates existing in the soil. Air is next drawn through the flask to remove any
carbon dioxid which has been evolved. The stopper is next removed, and
coarsely powdered potassium bichromate introduced. In the case of a soil
containing three per cent of carbon, six grams of bichromate will be found
sufficient, a portion remaining undissolved at the end of the experiment. The
stopper is then replaced, its supply-tube closed by a clamp, and the delivery-tube
connected with a series of absorbents contained in ᥩ tubes. The first of these
tubes contains solid calcium chlorid; the second, fragments of glass moistened
with oil of vitriol; the third and fourth are nearly filled with soda-lime, a little
calcium chlorid being placed on the top of the soda-lime at each extremity. The
last named tubes are for the absorption of carbon dioxid, and have been
previously weighed. The series is closed by a guard-tube containing soda-lime,
with calcium chlorid at the two ends.
The flask containing the soil and bichromate is now gradually heated in a
water-bath, the contents of the flask being from time to time mixed by agitation.
A brisk reaction occurs, carbon dioxid being evolved in proportion as the soil is
rich in organic matter. The temperature of the water-bath is slowly raised to
boiling as the action becomes weaker, and is maintained at that point till all
action ceases. As bubbles of gas are slowly evolved for some time, it has been
usual in these experiments to prolong the digestion for four or five hours. When
the operation is concluded the source of heat is removed, an aspirator is
attached to the guard-tube at the end of the absorbent vessels, and air freed from
carbon dioxid is drawn through the flask and through the whole series of ᥩ
tubes. The ᥩ tubes filled with soda-lime are finally weighed, the increase in
weight showing the amount of carbon dioxid produced. The object of the calcium
chlorid placed on the surface of the soda-lime is to retain the water which is
freely given up when the soda-lime absorbs carbon dioxid. The second ᥩ tube
filled with soda-lime does not gain in weight till the first is nearly saturated; it
thus serves to indicate when the first tube requires refilling. The same tubes may
be used several times in succession.
No increase in the carbon dioxid evolved is obtained by substituting chromic
acid for potassium bichromate.
The organic matter of the soil appears to the eye to be completely destroyed by
the digestion with sulfuric acid and potassium bichromate; the residue of soil
remaining in the flask when washed with water is perfectly white, or the dark
particles, if any, are found to be unaltered by ignition, and therefore to be
inorganic in their nature. Under these circumstances considerable confidence
has naturally been felt in this method. The complete destruction of the humic
matter of the soil does not, however, necessarily imply that the carbon has been
entirely converted into carbon dioxid as has been pointed out by Wanklyn.
According to his demonstration of the action of chromic acid on organic matter
the oxidation frequently stops short of the production of carbon dioxid. While
oxidation with chromic acid apparently leads to a complete reaction when the
carbon is in the form of graphite, it would probably yield other products than
carbon dioxid when the carbon exists as a carbohydrate. The doubt thus raised
as to the correctness of the results yielded by the chromate method makes it
desirable to check the work by the use of other methods for the determination of
carbon. For this purpose Warington and Peake recommend:
(2) Oxidation with Potassium Permanganate.—In the trials with this method
ten grams of soil are digested in a closed flask with a measured quantity of
solution of caustic potash containing five grams of potash for each twenty cubic
centimeters, and crystals of potassium permanganate. Seven grams of the
permanganate are found to be sufficient for a soil containing 3.3 per cent of
carbon. The flask is heated for half an hour in boiling water, and then for one
hour in a salt-bath. The flask during this digestion is connected with a small
receiver containing a little potash solution, to preserve an atmosphere free from
carbon dioxid; distillation to a limited extent is allowed during the digestion in
the salt-bath.
The first part of the operation being completed a rubber stopper, carrying a
delivery and supply-tube, is fitted to the flask, which is then connected with the
system of ᥩ tubes already described. Dilute sulfuric acid is then poured down
the supply-tube, a water-bath surrounding the flask is brought to boiling, and
maintained thus for one hour, after which air, free from carbon dioxid, is drawn
through the apparatus, the ᥩ tubes containing soda-lime being finally
disconnected and weighed.
In the first stage of this method the carbon of the organic matter is converted
into carbonate, and probably also into potassium oxalate.[197] In the second stage
the oxalate is decomposed by the sulfuric acid and permanganate, and the
carbon existing, both as oxalate and carbonate, is evolved as carbon dioxid, and
absorbed by the weighed soda-lime tubes. Both F. Schulze and Wanklyn have
employed potassium permanganate for the determination of organic carbon, but
they have preferred to calculate the amount of carbon from the quantity of
permanganate consumed, as, however, by so doing everything oxidizable by
permanganate is reckoned as carbon, it seems better to make a direct
determination of the carbon dioxid formed.
From the amount of carbon dioxid found, is to be subtracted that existing as
carbonates in the soil, and in the solution of potash used. For this purpose an
experiment is made with the same quantities of soil and potash previously
employed, but without permanganate, and the carbon dioxid obtained is
deducted from that yielded in the experiment with permanganate. If the potash
used contains organic matter two blank experiments will be necessary, one with
potash and permanganate, and one with soil alone.
A further difficulty arises from the presence of chlorids in the materials, which
occasions an evolution of free chlorin when the permanganate solution is heated
with sulfuric acid. This error occurs also with the chromic acid method, but in
that case the quantity of chlorid is merely that contained in the soil, which is
usually very small; in the permanganate method we have also the chlorid present
in the caustic potash, and this is often considerable. Corrections for chlorin by
blank experiments are unsatisfactory, the amount of chlorin which reaches the
soda-lime tubes depending in part on the degree to which the calcium chlorid
tube has become saturated with chlorin. It is better therefore to remove the
chlorin in every experiment by the plan which Perkin has suggested, by inserting
a tube containing silver foil, maintained at a low red heat, between the flask and
the absorbent ᥩ tubes.
The amount of carbon dioxid yielded by oxidation with potassium
permanganate is found to be considerably in excess of that obtained by oxidation
with chromic acid; to ascertain whether these higher results really represented
the whole of the carbon present in the soil, trials were next made by actual
combustion of the soil in oxygen.
(3) Combustion in Oxygen.—The most convenient mode of carrying out the
combustion of soil is to place the soil in a platinum boat, and ignite it in a
current of oxygen in a combustion tube partly filled with cupric oxid. A wide
combustion tube is employed, about twenty inches long, and drawn out at one
end; the front of the tube is filled for eight inches with coarse cupric oxid, the
hind part is left empty to receive the platinum boat. The drawn out end of the
combustion tube is connected with a series of absorbent ᥩ tubes, quite similar to
those employed for the estimation of carbon dioxid in the chromic acid method.
Between these absorbent vessels and the combustion tube is placed a three-
bulbed Geissler tube filled with oil of vitriol. The oil of vitriol is quite effective in
retaining nitrous fumes. The wide end of the combustion tube is connected with
a gas-holder of oxygen; the oxygen gas is made to pass through a ᥩ tube of soda-
lime before entering the combustion tube, to remove any possible contamination
of carbon dioxid.
In starting a combustion the part of the combustion tube containing the cupric
oxid is brought to a red heat, and oxygen is passed for some time through the
apparatus. Ten grams of soil, previously dried, are placed in a large platinum
boat, which is next introduced at the wide end of the combustion tube. The
combustion is conducted in the usual manner, a current of oxygen being
maintained throughout the whole operation. It is very useful to terminate the
whole series of absorbent vessels with a glass tube dipping into water; the rate at
which the gas is seen to bubble, serves as a guide to the supply of oxygen from
the gas-holder, the consumption of oxygen varying, of course, with different
soils, and at different stages of the combustion. At the close of the combustion,
oxygen, or air freed from carbon dioxid, is passed for some time through the
apparatus to drive all carbon dioxid into the absorbent vessels. One experiment
can be followed by another as soon as the hind part of the combustion tube has
cooled sufficiently to admit a second platinum boat. The same combustion tube
can be employed for several days, if packed in the usual manner in asbestos.
The presence of carbonates in the soil occasions some difficulty in working the
combustion method, as a part of this carbon dioxid will, of course, be given up
on ignition, and be reckoned as carbon. The simplest mode of meeting this
difficulty is to expel the carbon dioxid belonging to the carbonates before the
combustion commences. The method of Manning; namely, treatment with a
strong solution of sulfurous acid, may be employed for this purpose. The ten
grams of soil taken for combustion are placed in a flat-bottomed basin, covered
with a thin layer of sulfurous acid, and frequently stirred. After a time the action
is assisted by a gentle heat. When the carbonates have been completely
decomposed the contents of the basin are evaporated to dryness on a water-
bath; the dry mass is then pulverized, and removed to the platinum boat for
combustion in oxygen. For the action of the sulfurous acid to be complete it is
essential that the carbonates should be in very fine powder, since even chalk is
but imperfectly attacked when present in coarse particles.
308. Comparison of Methods.—A considerable number of soils analyzed
by the chromic acid method and by the combustion, method, by Warington and
Peake, with the assistance of Cathcart, shows the following comparisons:
Of the above soils the arable soils, Nos. 10 and 11, were the only ones
containing carbonates in any quantity exceeding a minute trace. The two soils in
question were treated with sulfurous acid before combustion, the others not.
All the determinations by the chromic acid method were made by Mr. P. H.
Cathcart, with the exception of Nos. 9 and 12, which were executed by another
experimenter, and are seen to give distinctly lower results. Excluding these two
analyses the relation of the carbon found by the two methods is tolerably
constant, the average being 79.9 of carbon found by oxidation with chromic acid
for 100 yielded by combustion in oxygen. The results obtained by the chromic
acid method thus appear to be very considerably below the truth.
Four typical soils were analyzed by the permanganate, as well as by the
chromic acid and combustion methods. The results obtained were as follows:
Percentage of Carbon Found by Three Methods in Soils Dried at 100°.
Permanganate
method.
Kind of Chromic Yielded by
soil. Combustion acid Exp. Exp. permanganate if
method. method. 1. 2. Mean. carbon by
Mean. Per Mean. Per Per Per Per combustion =
cent. cent. cent. cent. cent. 100. Per cent.
Old
pasture 3.55 2.81 3.26 3.30 3.28 92.4
New
pasture 2.41 1.93 2.29 2.30 2.30 95.4
Arable
soil 1.42 1.18 1.28 1.33 1.31 92.3
Subsoil 0.38 0.28 0.34 0.34 0.34 89.5
The loss on ignition is seen to be in all cases very considerably in excess of the
organic matter calculated from the carbon, even when the soil has been dried at
as high a temperature as 150°. The error of the ignition method is least in soils
rich in organic matter, as, for instance, the old pasture soil in the above table.
The error reaches its maximum in the case of the clay subsoil, which contains
very little carbonaceous matter, but is naturally rich in hydrated silicates, which
part with their water only at a very high temperature.
The above methods of Warington and Peake have been given in detail, and in
almost the verbiage of the authors for the reason that the working directions are
clearly set forth, and may serve, therefore, as guides to the previous methods
where only general indications of manipulation have been given.
309. Estimation of Organic Hydrogen.—The estimation of the total
hydrogen is made without difficulty either by burning the sample in a current of
oxygen or with lead chromate, and weighing the water produced. This water
comes from two sources, the pre-existing water and organic hydrogen. There is
no direct method of distinguishing one from the other. They may, however, be
estimated indirectly. The method of calculating the organic hydrogen has
already been given (paragraph 299). Experience shows that the hydrogen thus
calculated is a little greater than is necessary to form water with the whole of the
oxygen found in the organic matters.
310. Estimation of Organic Oxygen.—The determination of this oxygen
cannot be made directly. It is obtained by calculation, according to Berthelot and
André,[198] from the oxygen in the proteid and ligneous matters.
Let p represent the weight of the proteid bodies in a sample of soil.
Then O = p ×100
33.5